Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am aware that St. Francis Special School is situated on the grounds of St. Mary of the Angels and I understand that there are 55 children enrolled in the school with needs varying from moderate to severe.

A new extension, opened in September 2015, facilitated some of the then existing classrooms to be converted into specialised physiotherapy, speech and language and occupational therapy facilities, including a dedicated art room. This is very positive as it means that a multidisciplinary team on site has played a huge part in enabling each pupil to achieve his or her true potential.

With regard to the particular issue raised by the Deputy, I am aware that, in 2013, HSE Cork Kerry reconfigured children's disability services in Kerry to children's disability network teams with access based on need, in line with national policy. I am advised by the HSE that the specific need within the school was recognised on foot of an assessment of need, which took place some 18 months ago. The assessment was undertaken by the public health nursing service on which the existing resource provision of three days nursing has been based. The current nursing arrangement has been facilitated from primary care services.

A more recent assessment by the public health nursing service has indicated increased complexity of care needs for the children attending the school. The initial recommendation was to increase the service from three to five days per week. The HSE has informed me that a review of this assessment is under way to examine the additional level of resources that may be required to address these complex needs and to set out what the overall requirement will be. It will also look at how the existing allocation of nursing support may be optimised to meet the changing needs of the children.

I fully recognise the concerns of parents whose children are unable to attend the school on a full-time basis. I sincerely hope the HSE can progress this assessment as speedily as possible and find a resolution that will have a positive outcome for these children. This Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.

I can advise the Deputy that €8 million in additional funding was invested in 2014 and 2015 to fund 200 additional posts to support the implementation of the national programme on progressing disability services for children and young people under 18 years of age. A further €4 million in additional funding was provided for 75 therapy posts in 2016.

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